Written Answers Nos. 430-450
430. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of each value for money and policy review conducted by his Department from 1 January 2019 to date; if external costs were incurred; if so, the details of such costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30887/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe details requested by the Deputy for my Department, and the Office of Government Procurement which is also part of my Department, are set out in the tables below.
In respect of value for money and policy reviews, my Department is responsible for the delivery of the Spending Review programme. Overall, the Spending Review aims to facilitate the development of policy analysis and evaluation in support of the service-wide agenda of evidence-informed policy making. 2021 is the second year in the current 2020-2022 spending review cycle and follows on from the 2017-2019 spending review which saw 81 papers published across a variety of sectors. Most recently, the 2020 spending review resulted in the publication of 25 papers across a number of core expenditure and policy areas. Additional detail on the spending review, along with links to all published output is available at: www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/7dc2b1-spending-review/
The Deputy may wish to note that a large number of the reviews conducted by the Department were undertaken by the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES). Established in 2012, the IGEES is an integrated cross-Government service with the primary goal of supporting better policy formulation and implementation across the Civil Service, through data analysis and policy evaluation. IGEES staff are an integral part of each Government Department and using data and analytical skills, they produce policy insights to inform public policy formulation and implementation. IGEES produce analytical papers that include, Spending Reviews, Value for Money Reviews, Social Impact Assessments, Budget Papers, Departmental Papers and Focused Policy Reviews.
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Details of reviews conducted |
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2021 |
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LGBTI Capacity Building Evaluation Results |
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Drivers of Pension Reform |
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Patients’ Reasons for Non Attendance at Outpatient Appointments: A Literature Synthesis |
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Patients’ Reasons for Requesting Removal from Inpatient Waiting Lists During Administrative Validation |
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Using SMS Reminders to Reduce DNAs for Hospital Appointments a Review of Key Issues |
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Using Behavioural Science to Improve Hand Hygiene in Workplaces and Public Places |
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The Better Letter Initiative: An Impact Evaluation of a Redesigned Waiting List Validation Letter |
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Analysis of the Social Housing Build Programme |
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Transport Trends 2020 |
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Covid Rapid Impact Assessment Technical Appendix |
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Covid Rapid Impact Assessment |
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Phase 1 Report of the National Development Plan Review external costs of €3,013 |
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Supporting Excellence: Capital Project and Programme Delivery Review |
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2020 |
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Focused Policy Assessment - Local Improvement Scheme |
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Attitudinal Survey of Mature Home Owners |
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Social Impact Assessment Series Student Grant Scheme (SUSI Grants) |
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Social Impact Assessment – SEAI Programmes Targeting Energy Poverty |
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Teacher Allocation Model |
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The Composition of Employment in Small and Large Firms |
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State-Supported Loan Schemes |
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Review of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund |
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Assessment of the impact of Brexit and Covid on Údarás na Gaeltachta and its client companies |
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Job Churn in the Public Service - A trend analysis of the workforce dynamics during the years 2006-2018 |
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Civil Service Overview, New Joiners and Temporary Clerical Officers |
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The Single Scheme – Improving the Sustainability of Public Service Pensions |
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Focused Policy Assessment Paid Parent Leave Scheme |
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The Ethiopia Country Strategy 2014-2019 |
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Tusla Residential Care Costs |
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Tusla Staffing and Workforce Planning |
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SEAI Energy Efficiency Grant Schemes |
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Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Programme |
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DAFM Competitive Research Programmes |
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Expenditure on Overseas Peace Support Missions |
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Analysis of PSO Public Transport Programme and Performance |
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Toward Digitally-Enabled Court Services: Review of Investment in Courtroom Technology and theCreation of a Centralised Jury Summons Unit |
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Designing Performance Metrics in Policing |
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Analysis of Covid Impacts on Commercial Office Market – Potential Implications for State Leases |
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Private Expenditure on GP Care in Ireland |
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Analysis of Social Housing Build Programme |
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Trends in Public Expenditure 2009-2019 |
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Balancing Work and Care During the Covid Pandemic |
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Health Service Personal Protection Equipment Demand & Expenditure Estimation 2021 |
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Our Public Service 2020: Selected Indicators & Trends |
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Scoping review of literature: Best international practices in linking administrative and longitudinal study data |
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Tourism Marketing Fund VfMR |
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A high frequency model of the Covid pandemic |
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Focused Policy Assessment of the ECCE Higher Capitation Payment |
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Summary of Comments by the Sub-group on Behavioural Change on the content and design of the Covid Contact Tracing App |
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Digital Contact Tracing: Benefits and Enablers |
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Profile of Smartphone Ownership and Use in Ireland |
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Covid Contact Tracing App: User Perspectives and Experience Research |
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Strategic Public Infrastructure: Capacity and Demand Analysis |
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The Initial Impacts of the Covid Pandemic on Ireland’s Labour Market |
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Focussed Policy Assessment of Housing Adaptation Grants |
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Specialist Disability Services for People with Intellectual Disabilities |
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Transport Trends 2019 |
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The Use of Carbon Tax Funds 2020 |
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OECD Public Governance Reviews: The Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service – external costs of €35,000 |
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Grant Schemes for Energy Efficiency: Better Energy Homes and Better Energy Communities |
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Beyond “prevention is better than cure”: understanding prevention and early intervention as an approach to public policy |
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Understanding Prevention and Early Intervention as Public Policy: A comparison of policies and programmes in Ireland |
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Prevention and Early Intervention – Policy Design and Implementation |
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KPMG’s provision of economic analysis of productivity in the construction sector and advice on future policy and industry strategy external costs of €151,780 |
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2019 |
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Focused Policy Assessment of the ECCE Higher Capitation Payment |
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Analysis of Live Register Expenditure |
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The Inactive Working Age Population: A Comparison of Cohort Links to the Labour Market |
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Assessment of Living Standards Results of the Survey on Income and Living Conditions |
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SIA: Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) |
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SIA: Equality Budgeting – Relevant Findings from Ex Post Evaluation |
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Budgetary Impact of Changing Demographics from 2020-2030 |
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Cyclicality of Irish Public Spending |
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Costing Framework for the Expansion of GP Care |
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Post Project Review of the Pálás Cinema Project |
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Review of the Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme (ACCESS II) |
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Towards a Framework for Multi-Annual Budgeting: Considerations for AGS |
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Civil Defence Expenditure |
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Public Service Employment & Expenditure Modelling |
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Animal Health: TB Eradication |
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Overview of the Dublin North East Inner City Initiative |
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Emergency Departments: Trends 2014-2017 |
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Tusla: Assessment of Performance Measurement |
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Housing Assistance Payment (2014-2019) |
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Public Service Obligation (PSO) Funding for Public Transport |
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Quality of Employment: Indicator and Trends |
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Guidance Note #1: The Need for Research |
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Research Briefing: Engagement as a facilitator of school retention and completion: A review of the literature |
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SME Survey 2017 |
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Social Impact Assessment (SIA): Nursing Home Support Scheme (NHSS) |
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Social Impact Assessment (SIA): Acute Mental Health Services |
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Health Workforce: Consultants Pay and Skills Mix 2012-2017 |
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Monitoring Inputs, Outputs and Outcomes in Special Education Needs Provision |
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School Transport Expenditure |
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Review of Participation in and Costs of Apprenticeships |
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Review of Carer’s Supports |
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Lone Parent and In-Work Supports for Families and Children |
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Analysis of Social Housing Acquisitions |
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Focused Policy Assessment of Capital, Employment, and Training Supports: 2005/2006-2018 |
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Analysis of Science Foundation Ireland Research Grants |
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Evaluating the Regional Airports Programme |
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Personal Incentives for Electric Vehicle purchase |
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The Green, Low-Carbon, Agri-Environment Scheme |
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Beef Data Genomics Programme |
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2016 Heritage Council Review – Assessment of Implementation |
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Direct Provision: Overview of Current Accommodation Expenditure |
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Trends in Public Expenditure 2019 |
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The Housing Aspirations and Preferences of Renters |
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Incentives for Personal Electric Vehicle Purchase |
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Prevention & Early Intervention Unit Focussed Policy Assessment of Family Services Supporting Children and their Parents |
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Prevention & Early Intervention Unit Focussed Policy Assessment of Programmatic Interventions for Children, Young People and their Parents |
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Prevention & Early Intervention Unit Focussed Policy Assessment of Prevention and Early Interventions Supporting Health and Well-Being in Older Age |
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Review of Structures for the Management of European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) Programmes in Ireland – external costs of €100,322 |
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Social Impact Assessment Series: Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) |
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OECD Scan: Equality Budgeting in Ireland. A review of Equality Budgeting policy. |
Office of Government Procurement
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Details of reviews conducted |
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2021 |
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Review of price variation mechanisms in the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) contracts – external costs €175,885 to date |
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Review of the roles of Standing Conciliator and Project Board in the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) – external costs €31,802 to date |
431. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the Programme for Government commitment to allocate €1.5 billion over next ten years to an agri-environment scheme REPS-2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30900/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government recognises the special economic and social role that agriculture plays in Ireland, but also commits to the creation of schemes that will encourage and incentivise farmers to farm in a greener and more sustainable way. This is with the aim of developing a sustainable Irish agricultural sector that protects the environment and aligns with emerging consumer sentiment, while benefiting farmers and rural communities.
The Programme for Government commits to the allocation of €1.5bn in projected carbon tax receipts over the next ten years for this purpose. The first step in meeting this commitment was in Budget 2021 through the allocation of €20m in anticipated additional carbon tax receipts for the creation of pilot environmental programmes. This was supplemented with the continuation of the €3m in funding that was provided for agricultural programmes from carbon tax receipts in 2020, bringing the total funding for carbon tax supported measures in the agricultural sector to €23m in 2021.
These funds are being used to create and operate the Results Based Environment Agri Pilot Programme or REAP scheme. Farmers in this scheme will be rewarded for their environmental services including improving biodiversity, water quality, soil health, and sequestering carbon. Payments will be linked to the quality of environmental outcomes delivered.
The use of carbon funds in 2021 was detailed in the Budget Day publication "The Use of Carbon Tax Funds 2021" which continues to be available on the budget.gov.ie website. Carbon tax funding in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine is allocated to a specific sub-head, B.13, against which progress on spending the allocated funds can be tracked.
Questions regarding the operational details of the pilot programmes should be directed to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine.
432. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will confirm the statements by Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and Taoiseach on 2 June 2021 that there is no head of the civil service; if there is a person in charge of the civil service; if so, the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30940/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Secretary General of each Government Department is appointed by Government. As set out at Section 6 of the Public Service Management Act 1997, each Secretary General is accountable to the Minister of the Government having charge of the relevant Department in discharging his or her duties.
Under Section 17 of the Civil Service Regulation Act, 1956 (as amended), as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have the following miscellaneous powers in relation to the Civil Service including the regulation and control of the Civil Service; the classification, re-classification, numbers and remuneration of civil servants; the fixing of the terms and conditions of service of civil servants, and the conditions governing the promotion of civil servants.
Each Secretary General, along with heads of major civil service offices, participates on the Civil Service Management Board (CSMB) that is presently chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach. The CSMB provides collective leadership for the civil service, with a focus on progressing overall strategic priorities set out by Government under the Programme for Government and under the Civil Service Renewal Plan.
433. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details and costs of the structural repairs carried out on the banks of the River Maine in County Kerry in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30943/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Maine Catchment Drainage Scheme incorporates in the region of 250km of channels, 100km of embankment and over 320 structures (comprising of sluices and bridges) under the auspices of the Office of Public Works (OPW). Expenditure under the Capital Programme for Embankment Improvement along the River Maine from mid-2018 to end May 2021 amounted to over €2.8m. The maintenance works to the embankments include embankment refurbishment works, as well as structural repairs to any existing structures such as sluices forming part of the scheme and vegetation management (in the form of mulching, grass cutting, etc.).
There are significant additional maintenance works undertaken by the OPW under the Arterial Drainage Scheme Maintenance Programme on the River Maine on an annual basis, the costs of which are not included in the expenditure figure above.
434. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if consideration will be given in conjunction with the OPW to allowing a park (details supplied) to be kept open 24-hours a day during the summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30951/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSt Stephen’s Green is a National Monument which contains a number of important historic sculptures and features, including floral displays. The OPW’s role is to protect and preserve Ireland’s national heritage including St Stephens Green for current and future generations. As one of Dublin city's major tourist attractions welcoming over 4 million visitors a year, it is imperative that this cultural site is available to visitors during normal opening hours.
The OPW does not consider this important heritage site to be an appropriate place for late night socialising. The OPW has limited staffing and operating resources which are directed at the care and presentation of this important site to the public. OPW is not resourced in anyway to deal with the type of operations proposed by the Deputy. Further, there is no public lighting in St Stephen's Green and therefore it is unsafe for recreational usage in hours of darkness.
435. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if secretarial assistants are currently employed by the Houses of the Oireachtas; the number that have applied for incremental credit; the number of total years of past experience that have been disregarded under the policy of disregarding three years per application; the estimated cost to add the disregarded years to credit for the pay scale both in arrears to the start of the current Oireachtas term; and the increase in the weekly wage bill. [30979/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information being sought by the Deputy is not held by my Department and is a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. My officials have asked the Oireachtas Commission to provide a reply to the Deputy when the information is available.
436. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the work his Department has undertaken to implement the youth mental health pathfinder project in terms of administrative, budgetary, governance and legal arrangements with the Department of Health to ensure a robust and workable model for the pathfinder unit is developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30999/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy would be aware, this policy matter and the implementation of the referenced project is, in the first instance, a matter for the Department of Health and accordingly that Department would be best positioned to provide you with an update on the status of the project.
I would note that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is fully supportive of this whole-of-Government initiative in principle and has engaged extensively with the Department of Health on this matter. A number of governance and legal complexities and issues have been raised in relation to the proposal. These need to be worked through, in the first instance by the Department of Health and with the support of other Departments including the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in the context of progressing the initiative in a collaborative and constructive manner. Our Department will continue to engage with the Department of Health in relation to these issues.
437. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if TDs are exempt from Freedom of Information charges. [31001/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the application fees charged at the initial stage of making an FOI request were abolished with the introduction of the 2014 Freedom of Information Act. In addition, no fees are charged in cases where an individual makes a request for their own personal information, including applications for internal reviews or reviews by the Information Commissioner on decisions relating to personal information.
Where a request is for non-personal information, and the public body estimates that a significant amount of search and retrieval work will be required, a fee may apply. This is calculated at a rate that is fixed in law, and the requester will be given an opportunity to assess the fee, pay a deposit, or potentially focus their request in order to reduce the amount of work that will be involved. Where an individual believes that an estimated search and retrieval fee is unjustified or unjustifiably high, they may seek a review within the organisation concerned, and potentially by the Information Commissioner. No fee would apply to such a review.
However, where a review is sought of a substantive FOI decision to grant or refuse access to records which are not the personal information of the requester may attract fees of €30 and €50 where reviews are sought by internally and by the Information Commissioner respectively.
While statistics are not collated for the proportion of requests where search and retrieval fees are charged, in most given years about 60% of requests are for personal information, where no fee whatsoever applies, and an internal review is sought in only about 3% of cases, with no application fees applying to the remainder.
In relation to the Deputy's specific question, there are no exceptions from fees under the legislation relating specifically to requests from TDs. Therefore, in general, FOI charges, should they arise, would apply in the normal way, as they would to any other individual. However, as outlined above, in the majority of cases processed by public bodies in a given year, no fee will in any case have been charged.
438. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if Ireland has requested under article 25(3) of the regulation establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility to redact information relating to the National Recovery Plan; if so, the nature of such redactions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31020/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 28 May 2021 Ireland's draft National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) was approved by the Government and submitted to the European Commission. On 1 June 2021, I announced details of the Plan which will enable Ireland to access funding under the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).
Ireland’s Plan will now be assessed by the European Commission which will, within two months, make a recommendation to the Council of the European Union, on the basis of which implementation of the Plan will commence and EU financial support will start to flow.
Article 25(1) of the RRF Regulation requires the Commission to transmit national plans to the European Parliament and the Council without undue delay. Under Article 25(3), of the Regulation Member States may request the Commission to redact sensitive or confidential information, the disclosure of which would jeopardise public interests of the Member State.
Ireland has not sought to redact information relating to the NRRP under Article 25(3). It has, however, drawn the attention of the Commission to information that is currently commercially sensitive and should therefore only be shared on a confidential basis.
I will be publishing further details of the Plan once the process of approval by the European Union has concluded.
439. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the final report as part of the Phoenix Park transport and mobility options study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31129/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to confirm that the Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Working Group comprising of officials from the OPW, NTA, Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council are in the final stages of analysing submissions, with a view to presenting the post consultation report to Minister O'Donovan for final review later this month.
The OPW and partner agencies were delighted with the level of engagement and the huge volume of submissions received during the public consultation. I looks forward to sharing the final report with elected representatives, stakeholders and the public in the coming weeks.
441. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the general operatives will be appointed to Kennedy Park, New Ross, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31200/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is OPWs intention to run a panel recruitment competition during 2021 for the above.
442. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are meeting the requirement to have a statement on the compliance of their websites and mobile applications with the regulations under the directive 2016/2102 (EU), as articulated in SI No. 358/2020 - European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31288/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra443. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are meeting the requirement to subject to Regulation 6, public sector bodies shall, in accordance with Regulation 3, take necessary measures to make their websites and mobile applications more accessible by making them perceivable, operable, understandable and robust under the directive 2016/2102 (EU), as articulated in SI No. 358/2020 - European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31306/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 442 and 443 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the compliant accessibility statement for Gov.ie, the website that currently hosts 15 of the 19 Government Departments, is available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/help/accessibility. All remaining Government Departments will be moved to gov.ie by the end of August 2021.
Gov.ie is the main Government website and recorded over 122 million page views in 2020. Gov.ie partially complies with the double-A Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 standards and the 4 principles of accessibility in that it is perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. This is similar to most other government sites across the EU. Accessibility to gov.ie is being enhanced by improving the level of Plain English used for services on the site. This allows users of all levels to be able to find and understand information as quickly as possible. In addition, the gov.ie team have continuously performed multiple accessibility reviews since the website went live. The gov.ie team has engaged with and continues to engage with an accessibility expert to outline all accessibility requirements. Following the last accessibility audit, 65 issues were identified and action taken to rectify and resolve these issues. In addition, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) has since released updates to the core code of the gov.ie website to improve accessibility.
All other sites managed by OGCIO are currently being moved to a new Content Management System which has been built with WCAG compatibility in mind. This project is ongoing with satisfactory progress being made this year.
The position in relation to the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out below.
Office of Public Works (OPW)
The OPW is committed to improving accessibility on its websites and mobile platforms. It is currently undertaking a review process to identify what work needs to be done to meet the relevant accessibility standards. An internal working group has been established and will oversee the implementation of any recommendations arising from the review.
National Shared Services Office (NSSO)
Compliance with directive 2016/2102 (EU) is stipulated in all NSSO procurements done in co-operation with the Office of Government Procurement. The procurement of all new NSSO web applications and apps must conform to the current regulations in force. For legacy applications, every effort is made to retrofit functionality to ensure compliance with the regulations. Due to the age of some of the NSSO legacy systems, this is not always possible.
Public Appointments Service (PAS)
The PAS website accessibility statement can be found at: www.publicjobs.ie/en/accessibility. The PAS undertook a web accessibility audit in August 2020 working with an expert in this field to identify areas for potential improvement in accessibility across its website platforms. The remediation of those issues began immediately with a significant improvement in compliance with the web accessibility directive implemented throughout 2020 and 2021 to date. Some areas are still in progress for improvement, namely branding and legacy systems, which are road mapped to be addressed throughout 2021 and through the wider organisational digital transformation goals.
Office of the Ombudsman
All of the Office of the Ombudsman websites contain Website Accessibility Statements. The Office of the Ombudsman aims to ensure that the site meets the following technical standards:
- Accessibility - the Office aims to maintain every page of our site at WAI AA compliance level;
- Code - The site is produced using W3C XHTML 1.0 for code clarity; and
- Formatting - In line with W3C recommendations, all formatting is in a Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) file. Users may choose to disable this file and see a "plain text" version of the site if they prefer.
State Laboratory
The State Laboratory is currently not in compliance with the directive 2016/2102 (EU). A review plan is being currently being drafted and work to identify non-compliance in the website will start thereafter. Following this, remediation work to be scheduled and follow up periodic reviews of the website will be undertaken to ensure compliance with the directive.
Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery (ORNL)
Having considered S.I. 358/2020 (the “Regulations”), Directive 2016/2102, and official (National Disability Authority) and non-official commentary, the view of the ORNL is that the Regulations do not apply to the ORNL. For completeness, the ORNL highlight that its website has features to assist users who are vision impaired. The Office’s Custom Service Charter sets out its commitment to ensuring the accessibility of the Office and its work to people with disabilities, and the ORNL follow the National Disability Authority’s plain English guidance in Annual Reports and other documents.
444. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a full schedule of works to be undertaken at Navan Garda station; the overall budget for the project; the estimated completion date; and the business case and the schedule of meetings in which the project was discussed by the OPW with the Garda estates management team. [31366/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraRefurbishment of Navan Garda station was included in the Garda Capital Plan 2016-2021 and the Office of Public Works (OPW) can confirm that a contract has been placed to provide a new cell block and extension. The works consist of the demolition of the existing single storey cell block extension and the construction of a new 2 storey extension to include 4 new cells, prisoner processing facilities with ancillary rooms and a new office accommodation above on the first floor. The works will also include providing new pedestrian access and vehicle access control.
The cell works are being undertaken under the OPW Cell Improvement Programme, a multi-annual programme to bring all operational cells up to an agreed anti-ligature standard. In this instance the existing cells could not be brought up to the standard in situ and the design team recommended that a new cell block be built. An Garda Síochána requested that the scope of works be increased to include the additional accommodation and confirmed that they would fund this element.
The total project budget is €2.2m including Vat and fees and the works are expected to commence on 5 July 2021 with an expected 15-month duration.
The project at Navan Garda Station was included in discussions at the programme meetings for Garda Capital Plan, which are held monthly between members of the OPW and Garda Estate Management.
445. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a full schedule of works to be undertaken at Slane Garda station; the overall budget for this project; the estimated completion date; the business case and the schedule of meetings in which the project was discussed by the OPW with the Garda estates management team; and if Garda officers that could be housed at Navan Garda station operate from Sallins, County Kildare. [31367/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) can confirm that An Garda Síocháná has requested the OPW to carry out works to accommodate additional staff in a currently unoccupied section of Slane Garda Station.
Members of the OPW, Garda Estate Management and An Garda Síochána met on site in August 2020 to discuss and review options and subsequent communications have been by e-mail and phone.
The design has been agreed and signed off by Garda Management and the design team are preparing tender documentation and costings. It is envisaged that tenders will issue later this year and that the works will commence in Q4.
This is a Garda funded project and the business case for these works and subsequent staff allocation would be operational matters for An Garda Síochána.
446. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of employees in his Department and the bodies under the aegis of his Department who have been in receipt of a higher duty acting allowance for over two years. [31423/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that there are no employees of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, or the Office of Government Procurement which is also part of the Department, in receipt of an acting up allowance for two years or more. This is also the case for the bodies under the aegis of my Department, with the exception of the Office of Public Works (OPW). The OPW have advised that while there are no established OPW officers currently in receipt of a higher duties acting allowance, four operational staff members have been receiving this allowance for more than two years.
447. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if bins located in St. Stephen’s Green and Iveagh Gardens are solar compactors; his views on reports that they are currently full in advance of a busy bank holiday weekend; if there are plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31426/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works is currently rolling out a suite of new solar powered compactor bins in Stephen's Green Park. This programme commenced in early June with the installation of nine 240 litre capacity compactor bins at key locations throughout the Green. These bins are operated by smart technology which informs the litter team when the bins require emptying.
Given the unprecedented high volume of litter encountered throughout the City and in particular in St. Stephen's Green over the last week, some bins reached capacity before the litter team could empty them.
An additional thirteen, 120ltr compactor bins will be installed in the coming weeks and while the Green is transitioning to the solar powered bins, traditional bins will continue to be a feature within the Green.
The Iveagh Gardens has also had an increase in traditional bins.
The Green and Iveagh Gardens are experiencing unprecendented volumes of visitors who are consuming food and beverages on site which is adding significantly to the volume of litter and waste being generated on site. OPW staff continue to work extremely hard to keep the Parks as pristine as possible despite the challenging operating circumstances of recent weeks.
448. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost to employ an additional 50 social workers. [31656/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra449. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost to recruit an additional ten administrative support staff for social workers. [31657/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 448 and 449 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that this is a matter for the Department of Health rather than my Department and should be the subject of a separate question to my colleague, the Minister for Health, in that regard.
450. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if provision has been made in the National Development Plan for the full cost of making homes in counties Donegal and Mayo safe under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme; and if he will ensure that these costs are covered in the review of the National Development Plan. [31685/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe review of the National Development Plan is still ongoing and provides an opportunity to reassess capital investment plans, particularly in light of the new Programme for Government, the ongoing impacts and recovery from Covid-19 and other emerging issues such as the defective concrete blocks grant scheme.
The first phase of the NDP review commenced in October 2020, which included the public consultation, Review to Renew, as well as further evidence gathering by way of sectoral submissions for Departments and a series of technical papers. The results of Phase 1 were published on April 4th 2021, on my Department's website.
The defective concrete blocks scheme falls under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Prioritisation and funding allocations within the Vote for Housing, Local Government and Heritage are a matter for that Minister once the Departmental allocation has been agreed in Phase 2.
The objective of Phase 2 of the NDP will be to set out revised sectoral capital allocations for the upcoming 10-year period, including non-Exchequer investment, as well as providing a renewed focus on delivery of efficient and cost-effective public infrastructure. The overall sectoral funding commitments will not be finalised until Phase 2 has been completed.
